The Bombers wasted no time laying down the law for the Strykers with pitcher Bryce Rutherford grabbing one strikeout in the top of the first and the Bombers lighting up the scoreboard first with two earned runs. Bases were loaded after a leadoff walk by Blake Kopetsky and a single each by both Patrick McLendon and Graham McIntyre. Designated hitter Brett Kauten was able to send the ball to far right to bring in Kopetsky, followed by left fielder Herb Romero beating out the throw at first and earning an RBI with McLendon. Bombers ended the inning with a 2-0 lead over the Strykers.
Staying true to their namesake, The Woodlands were able to immediately strike back in the top of the second after a leadoff walk allowed for a runner who was able to come home on a Stryker double. The Bombers were able to hold off any further damage and ended the inning still holding their 2-1 lead.
In the bottom of the fourth the Bombers hit a hot streak that couldn’t be stopped. The action began when Matt Eureste reached first on an infield single, then Kopetsky slammed an explosive double off of the left field wall, allowing Eureste to reach third. McLendon earned the first RBI of the inning with a single that brought in Eureste, followed by a single to left by G.R. Hinsley which allowed Kopetsky to score. With both McLendon and Hinsely on base, Kauten was able to rack up two more RBIs by bringing both players in with a single to center. After Herb Romero was able to reach first on a walk, catcher Alexis Mercado rounded out the rally with a double that brought in both Kauten and Romero. After four innings the Bombers dominated the game with a score of 8-1.
Brazos Valley was able to tack another run on the board in the bottom of the sixth after Kauten reached on a walk and was driven in on an RBI by Mercado. The seventh inning saw the Strykers’ bats heat up for the first time in the series, bringing in 4 more runs to make the score 9-5. The Woodlands were able to chalk up one more in the top of the ninth to close the gap to just a three run difference. Despite the attempted comeback, the Bombers were able to keep the Strykers at bay for the rest of the game, clenching the sweep of the series and their sixth straight victory. Brett Kauten was named Player of the Game after going 4 for 5 and earning 3 RBIs.
Thursday night the Bombers take on the Acadiana Cane Cutters at 7:05pm. Listen live on Sports Radio1150 the Zone.